Question

1)Discuss the three ways used to measure crime. Discuss the pros/cons of each method. In your opinion, what is the importance of these measure instruments?

2)Compare and contrast Robert Morton’s strain theory with Robet Agnew’s general strain theory. In your opinion, can you use either or both of these theories to explain the crime of Burglary and why?

1- DISCUSS THE THREE WAYS USED TO MEASURE CRIME. DISCUSS THE PROS/CONS OF EACH METHOD IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE MEASURING INSTRUMENTS? 2- COMPARE AND CONTRAST ROBERT MERTON'S STRAIN THEORY WITH ROBERT AGNEW'S GENERAL STRAIN THEORY. IN YOUR OPINION, CAN YOU USE EITHER OR BOTH OF THESE THEORIES TO EXPLAIN THE CRIME OF BURGLARY AND WHY?

Answer 1

Crime is defined as an violating activity by individual or group of people , that is not accepted under law firms. Crime is a serious offence and people doing crime are punishable under legal pursuits. The common forms of crime are : Physical harassment, robbery,murder, causing damage to public property, sexual harassment, child abduction, homicide, theft, child abuse.

Three ways to measure crime:

1) The vital sources to monitor and investigate crime data can be collected by the victims who are directly affected by the crime. A survey technique used to collect data from victims regarding their experiences, attitude on crime and their emotional status after experiencing an unpleasant situation. A victim has a right to refuse to participate in the survey.

2) The second source is collecting data from criminals (offenders). This helps to understand the attitude of offenders, number of crime performed y them, to check socio economic background to understand reason behind the criminal events, age to check for juvenile delinquency, drug abuse. Based on the study an effective remedial programs organized to prevent crime in future.

3) Retrieving criminal records from official records.

PROS AND CONS:

1) The data collected from victims :

Pros - Its a first hand information collected without any manipulation. Victims are the reliable source of information. This information helps to formulate programs among community to create awareness and prevention of crime in future.

Cons - Victims with post traumatic stress disorder (psychological disturbances in form of depression after a stressful events) will withdraw themselves from participating in data collection. Victims may be scared to reveal crime information as it may endangers their life.

2) Data collected from offenders/ criminals:

Pros - It helps to evaluate baseline reason for crime like poverty, drug abuse, psychological disturbances, young children involving in crime. Based on the measurement remedial measures can be done to rehabilitate the offenders and bring back to their normal social life.

Cons - Offenders are more thrustful to approach and the data collector life may be under risk.Criminals with rigid nature will not maintain a free line of communication.

STRAIN THEORY:

- Strain , a stressor or influencing factors that forces an individual to perform unethical or unlawful activities in a society. Strain theory focusses on identifying reason for crime occurs in a society.

ROBERT MERTON'S STRUCTURAL STRAIN THEORY:

- framed by American sociologists Robert Merton .He encompasses the reason for crime in society is purely determined by social structures like socioeconomic status, institutional norms, wrong beliefs like success is important irrespective of the means to achieve the success, cultural differences.

ROBERT AGNEW GENERAL STRIN THEORY:

- framed by Robert Agnew, he believes crime occurs purely due to psychological factors creating stress in the individual. For ex) Loss of loved one , experiencing physical harassment and verbal abuse,not competent enough to achieve the framed gaol in life, surrounding people with negative stimuli.

In my opinion both he theories can be used as structural strain theory makes us to understand influence of social structural reasons for crime and general strain theory highlight the individual stressor as a reason for crime in the society.